May 2012 Issue

Scientists clone 'survivor' elms

Canadian scientists have cloned American elms that have survived numerous attacks of Dutch elm disease.

This is the first known use of in-vitro culturing to clone the buds of mature American elms.

More than 95% of elms in eastern Canada and the U.S. have been killed by the disease. Only about one in a thousand is naturally resistent. More

Researchers create new national forest map

The U.S. Forest Service and U.S. Geological Survey assembled a national forest map using space-based radar, satellite sensors, computer models, and ground-based data. It's the most detailed view of forest structure and carbon storage ever created. Large map

ISA Southern sets tree climbing academy

ISA Southern Chapter presents a hands-on tree climbing academy at Memphis Botanic Garden May 24 to educate participants about legislation and safety requirements as they pertain to working in trees, as well as provide individual training in climbing techniques. Cost is $150 nonmember/$125 member; deadline is May 19.

Other presentations and workshops focus on creating natural play spaces, connecting quality spaces in everyday life, and engaging people with the natural environment.

Open to the public, the conference features workshops, education sessions, the annual Urban Forestry Awards, ISA exam, and CEU points.

State reaches 40 Tree City USAs

Forty Tennessee cities are now designated a Tree City USA. Norris is the oldest with 33 years as a TCU, and Kingston is the newest addition. Cities must have a tree board, tree ordinance, a $2-per-capita forestry budget, and an Arbor Day observance.

Tree Line USA

The state now has 15 Tree Line USA utilities, recognized for promoting best practices through quality tree care, worker training, tree planting and education, tree-based energy conservation, and participation in Arbor Day events.

EDITOR'S NOTE: A technical problem prevented readers from expanding this story in a previous newsletter. Sorry, John!

We humans are a very successful species. We are builders. We are at 7 million on a planet of limited resources. Fortunately, many of us realize that to survive, we must adapt to the environment where we live. Too often we have taken for granted the natural world, the results being that humans can no longer inhabit some places on this earth due solely to the actions of humans. Living among waste (water and air pollution) will certainly affect the overall health of the individuals in any society. More

Here in Tennessee, we live in the forest. Living among trees has uncountable psychological and emotional benefits to our well being as individuals and as a society. However, it is a tree’s bio-mechanical processes that help make living on this planet possible. Trees take in, process and emit the air we breathe. That makes them filters. There can be up to a 35% reduction in street level particulates with trees. In one urban park, the tree cover was found to remove 48lbs. of particulates, 9 lbs. of nitrogen dioxide, 6 lbs. of sulfur dioxide & 2 lbs. of carbon monoxide every day ($136 per day value based on modern pollution control technology) (Dr. Kim D. Coder; University of Georgia, October, 1996 “Identified Benefits of Community Trees and Forests”).

But that’s not all. Many studies have been done that prove the mitigation of the “heat island” affect in metropolitan areas containing more trees. From Atlanta to New York to San Francisco, the research shows that stabilized temperatures reduce the amount of energy spent to heat and cool structures. By providing shade in summer and wind breaks in the winter, trees are one of the most efficient ways to help stabilize temperatures, reducing energy consumption – no matter what the energy source. Why are they so efficient? With a little planning and comparatively low investment, maintaining a healthy Urban Forest provides energy savings far exceeding the costs. When combined with development designs that include water absorbing green spaces, storm water management costs can also be dramatically reduced.

This information is not new – but it is often ignored. Humans will continue to build and re-build. Most of the areas that get covered with structures are improved by the effects of sustainable development and preservation of a healthy urban forest. Everything we do, from manufacturing to cooking at home, has an affect on the environment. The more energy wasting structures we erect or maintain, the more pollutants we allow to permeate our air and water, the higher the concentration of those pollutants nature will have to absorb. There is only so much biomass per tree – they can only absorb so much.

Consider now, what we get when we use what we know about energy conservation and energy saving technology in the building trades (LEED); combined with renewable, minimally polluting energy production (wind, solar, thermal); and implement what we know about natural resource conservation (sustainable development laws). We are rewarded with cleaner air, cleaner water and lower energy and health care costs and we still keep the buildings and structures we all enjoy. We know how to do these things. We just need the political will to recognize that we can no longer afford to live the lifestyle of consume and waste — destroy and move on. This has to happen at the local level. Take the initiative. Contact your local elected official (City Council, County Commissioner, State Representative) and tell them you value where you live and they should act accordingly by supporting natural resource conservation efforts. Then direct them to the TUFC.

John Nessle is an ISA-certified arborist and
owner of The Ornamentor in Chattanooga.

BOARD PROFILE

Karen
DavenportSecretary

I have been serving on the TUFC board since 2010. When I got to my first meeting, the '09 Retreat at Montgomery Bell State Park, I found no familiar faces! I knew no one. But I was excited by what I heard that weekend and everyone I had met. By the time I got home, my phone was ringing. The secretary for the Council had resigned — would I be interested in the position? YES!

It was difficult at first as the challenge was putting names and faces together. The geography of our state makes it difficult for everyone to attend every meeting. Also, most members were arborists and knew each other from the trade. My background is in design — I graduated from Auburn in 1982 and started my business, Kaja Farms, in 1999. In my work, trees are important but so are shrubs and annuals and perennials. I like to think I bring a bit of diversity to the Council and apparently, everyone agrees as we are making a real effort to seek out members with backgrounds in other areas such as fund raising and childrens education.

It’s an exciting time to be a member of TUFC. With shifts in funding due to budgets cuts, the change has forced us to take a hard look at ourselves and make an effort to impact the State of Tennessee. One of our goals is children’s education as these are our future members. Another is our marketing strategy. Not only will our plan raise public awareness, but by partnering with other non-profits and organizations, we can increase our target market and reach out to a market that, in the past, we might not have considered or had access to. We are learning the importance of social media and looking for ways to incorporate it into these marketing strategies. The budget cuts and loss of revenue have forced us out of our comfort zone and have helped bring about changes which in turn are helping us to grow. We have a membership that has been very patient with us during our growing pains.

The Council has before it an opportunity to affect the future of urban forestry as the role of the urban forest becomes increasingly important in the face of climate change. It’s an exciting time to be a member of TUFC and I am honored to be on the board.

TUFC adds new chapter

The TUFC board of directors authorized formation of a third chapter: East Tennessee joins West Tennessee and Middle Tennessee/Trees Nashville as official TUFC chapters. Nick Bridgeman is helping with the chapter's organization.

West Tennessee offers forestry advisor class

The West Tennessee chapter and Memphis Botanic Garden join to present Urban Forestry Advisor classes on Wednesdays from August 29 through September 26. MORE